should be sung in a â—laine tune likewise the Gospâ—ll and Epistle yet I haue not knowen this vsed in Cathedrall Churches 18 The names of Communicantes before they receiue should be signified to the Curaâ—e yet this is not regarded in most places 19 The Curat be he neuer so base shoulde not suffer notorious ill liuers such as haue wronged â—y by woorde or deede neither men out of charitie by they Earles Counseilloures or others to bee partakers of the Communion till they have declared them selues openlie to be repentant and reclaimed yet notorious lewde persons be admitted and men of state without exception are not hindred nor anie open consession of sinne is vsed by any offendour but whom the Officiall appointeth though the authours and confirmers of the coÌ„munion booke doe generally wish it 20 The Minister should vse the ornamentes appointed by King Edward yet not he alone but the Clearke also doeth vse a surplice in many churches 21 In Cathedral Collegi Churches the Communion should be ministred euery Sundâ—y at the least This is not practised The Aduertisement appointeth the first Sunday in euerie moneth But the Bishops Articles tie Ministers to vse the forme prescribed in the communion booke and no other 22 The Godfathers and Godmothers are commanded that they 1. shall call the children for whome they promise to heare sermons 2. They must prouide that they bee taught to learne all thinges necessarie for Christians 3. That they bee vertuouslie brought vp Which thinges al Godfathers and Godmothers might bee inâ—orced to doe for the lawe will not commaunde a thing without allowing a meane to â—ffect yet the Bishops doe neuerinforce this by ecclesiasticall censures thoughe infinite children doe for want of this helpe perishe in ignorance 23 bishops are commaunded to confirme children yet diuers Bb. doe not vse it albeit by lawe noe man shoulde receyue the Communion till hee were first confirmed A good plea for papistes to refuse the communion this confirmation would cause children to learne the principles of ReligioÌ„ for none should be confirmed till he could say the Lords praier Ten commandements and the short cacechisme 24 Curates of euery Parishe ought vppon sundaies and hâ—lidaies halfe an howre before euen-songe openlie instruct and examine childâ—en seruauntes and prentices in the Catechisme A profitable worke seldome or neuer vsed by the Bishops followers By the booke of Canons the Curate may examine any of what age or degree soeuer be they olde or younge noble or vnnoble The Bishops account it tyranny in some Ministers to expect or exact this thing 25 None must be admitted to the Communion that can not say the Catechisme Therefore â—urates should examine Communicantes and seclude them that be found wanting in knowledge but this is not regarded 26 Banes should be asked three seuerall Sundâ—yes in the open Church yet Biâ—hops dispence with asking banes Non obstants this booke confirmed by ParliameÌ„t as if a Bishop might dispence with penall Satutes Out of the booke of ordring Deacons c. 27 The partie presented to the Bb. should weare A plain Albe by the booke of ordering Ministers confirmed by Parliâ—ment yet this garment in not vsed 28 The Deacon by part of his office ought to searche for the sicke poore impotent of the 〈◊〉 and intimate their estates to the Curate c. But nowe the office of a Deacon is accounted meere spirituall 29 The Deacon must read the Gospell in the day of his Ordination putting on a Tunicle but â—his vesture is scarcely knowen at this day 30 The Bish. must tell the Minister at his Ordination That if his Church or anie member thereof doe take anie hurte by his negligence that a horrible punishment vvill ensue to him Hee chargeth him neuer to cease his labour care and diligence till hee haue done vvhat lyeth in him according to his duetie to bringe all that are committed to his charge that there bee no error in Religion or viciousnes in life left in them yet it is manifest that the Bb. Priestes and Chaplens are most negligent in their charge turning ouer their trauell to other vvhich they are charged here to performe in their owne perâ—on 31 The booke would haue them to giue themselues wholy to the ministeriâ—all vocation asmuch as lieth in them to apply themselus to that one thing to drawe all their care studies that waie to that ende yet they attende eiuiâ—â—ll offices and worldly affaires imperâ—â—nent to the charge here giuen to them 32 The Bish. chargeth and the Priest promiseth to Minâ—ster the discipline of Christ as the Lorde hath commaunded And as this Realme hath 〈◊〉 the same according to Gods commaundements not otherwise For the worde And noteth two distinct thinges in that clause where all Ministers are authorized to excommunicate as well as â—b for the Lorde hath commaunded this Discipline of Excom to all Ministers alike also they may admonish and suspenâ—e from the Lordes supper for this Realme hath receyued these cenâ—ures and giuen them to euerie Minister according to Gods commaundement in that behalfe yet the Bishops doe retaine the power of Excommuniâ— in their owne handes assigninge it to such as please theÌ„ most 33 The Bish. likewise chargeth and the priest promiseth to vse not onely publik but also priuate admonition and exhortations both to the sicke and to the whole within his cure yet their Chapleins and Doctors accompte their duetie discharged if some time they preach publikelie and neuer conferre priuâ—tely with their flocke in pointes of religion For Christ say they knewe not the persons and faces of his flocke neitheir is this expected of his Ministers both which bee vntrue 34 The booke at the ordination of euery Minister directeth the Bish. to say to the Minister Take thou authoritie to preache the vvorde of God and to Minister the holy Sacramentes in this Church In which wordes wee obserue 1. That the booke and Parliament which confirmed it doe intende that euerie Minister should be a Preacher This also may be proued by many other circumstances in this booke 2 A full licence authoritie is giuen to euerie Minister to preach therefore he may alwayes after this authoritie giuen aswell preache as minister the Sacramentes without a licence neither is it materiall that the Iniunctions or Aduertisements do will that a Minister shoulde haue a licence to preache for this booke of Ordering Ministers beeing authorized 8. Eliz. cap. 1. and 13. Eliz. cap. 12. In the Articles of Religion Artic. 36. doeth countermâ—unde the Iniunctions and Aduertisementes that went before 3. No Minister hath authoritie to preach out of any booke but Gods worde 4. The Ministers and Deacons should bee ordeined in the Congregation to which they are presented not in
state they still continued as they had begun some of them weake in body though strong in spirite preaching three or foure times a day manie daies togither as London can witnesâ—e incouraging the people to fight for the Gospell and for their soueraigne still calling for repentaunce that God might bee mercifull to vs our Prince and Countrie Also when the expedition was made into Portugall they renewed these exercises a fortnight or 3. weekes before the Bishops sent to their fauorers any precepts or instructions to doe the like Is it likely that these men doe malice her Maiesty Surely they malice hir as Esay Ieremy other prophets did malice Ezechiah Iosiah and other godly Kings of Iudah when they reproued the abuses of the Church vnder them seeking that they might flourish in al honour by the due obseruation of the lawe of God adding vertue to vertue and reformation to reformations till Iudah and Ierusalem were clearely purged Is this malice to Princes No. They that hide froÌ„ princes the deformity of a state crying peace peace where no peace is they be the most malicious and pestilent enemies of the state The men that call for Reformation may pretend cause or coulour of cause both in matters of doctrine fact why they may hate the Bishops which in no sorte may be applyed to hir Maiesty The Bishops impugne that which heretofore they haue deliuered as the trueth of God as I haue shewed They confesse there be infinite corruptions in the Church which yet they will not reforme nor sâ—ffer other to sue for amendment or reformation thereof They confesse that by Gods word a Priest and Bishop are all one yet they and their followers make it heresie so to beleeue building vpon Epiphanius who also erroniously in the same place calleth the Bishops and all them heretikes that denie prayer for the dead Which determination of heresie vpon one mans worde as it is against the lawes of this Realme so it wrappeth in heresie both the Syriake Interpreter vvho vseth one worde Kashisha both for Priest and Bishop And also Chrysostome Ambrose Theodoreâ—e Hierome Occumenius Iâ—idore The Canon Lawe in force in Englande which sayeth That the primitiâ—e Church had no other sacred orders but Deaconship and Priesthood Also Wicklef Marsilâ—â—s of Padâ—a Luther Caluin Musculus Hofman Sadel Mornce Marlorate 〈◊〉 Whitakers Fulke Iewell Bullinger The Waldenses Alley Bâ—shop of Excester Lambert Beza Daneus The Magdeburgenses Knitsius Melaâ—â—thon Szegedinus Many Christian Churches and all Protestants that haue writen of this matter who teach expresly that by the trueth of Gods word Bishops and Priestes bee all one and of like authority therfore are condemned by Bellarmine Turrian Dureâ— Spence Harding The Rhemistes Stapleton Sanders Bristowe and other papistes to bee Aertan heretikes euen as the â—b doe account for the same cause all the maintemers of Reformation The enemies to Reformation doe esteeme it an absurde and monstrous thing to holde That a Pastour and Teacher differ in office though the Syriake interpreter doe distinguishe them aswell as Apostle and Euangeâ—ist vith deragnavathâ— vith demalphane which Guido translateth Ephes. 4. 11. Some Pastours and some Teachers And although Musculus Hâ—perius Caluin Martyr Kemâ—tâ—â—s Bezâ— Sadeel Danâ—us Szegedinus Hemingius Bucer Bertrand de Loques Villiers Iunius and tâ—n Protestante Churches as Maister Rogers confesseth doe account of them as distinct callings The Bishops doe affirme that by the common exposition of all writers Christ by katakyrieuâ—in Matth. 20. 25. doeth onely prohibite in the ministerie tyrannâ—call not lawfull Lordly rule yet of all these writers they can onely name threc or foure whereas the Seekers of Reformation may produce Luther Zuinglâ—us Melancton Caluin Bullinger Hemingius Illiricus Gualter Nowell Iewell Sadâ—â—l Beza Munster Bridges against the papistes Bilson Broughton Rainolds Withers Whitakers Snâ—canus Szegedinus Fulke Erastus and the Churches of Bohemâ—a who say that Christ speaketh there of lawfull Lordely rule for bidding his Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell to vse the same The 〈◊〉 and their friendes adiudge it a popedome and tyranny to excommunicate Princes although themselues do excommunicate inferiour Magistrates whom the Scripture doth honour with the hie title of Gods aswell as the most glorious Emperour and although both Bucer Caluin Snâ—canus De Loques Beza Daneus Zanchius Nowell Poinet Bishop of Winchester Iewell Bâ—â—son and Bridges do by their doctrine in priuiledged bookes approue the same The Bb. charge the Seek of Reformation flatlie and fullâ—â— to agree with the papistes in the article of the Princes Supremacie in matters Ecclesiasticall yet the Seek of Reformation differ froÌ„ them in these substantiall pointes following 1 They giue the Prince authoritie ouer all persons ecclesiasticall whatsoeuer the papistes exempte their cleargie 2 They holde that a Prince may depose a priest as Salomon did Abiathar and accordingly they obey being silenced the papistes deme it 3 They affirme that if Priests do make wicked decrees that the Prince may enforce them to better the papistes denie it 4 They say that Princes may and ought to make lawes for the Church but with the aduise of godly Pastoures the papistes denie it 5 They hold that if the Pastours be vnlearned and vngodly the Prince may of himselfe without their assent or aduise make orders and lawes for ecclesiasticall matters the papistes doe vtterlie denie Lastly they will subscribe in this point to the Articles of Religion established by lawe to the Apologie to the Church of England to the writers of M. Iewell M. Nowell M. Horn Maister Whitakers Maister Bâ—â—son Maâ—ster Rainoldes M. Fulke for I protest I haue sought but found nothing in these mens writinges touching this matter that dissenteth from the opinions of them that sue for Reformat Besides they take the othe of the Supremacie as hir Maiestie and the Parliament doeth expound it Whereupon by expresse allowance of law they are in that respect hir Maiesties good and obedient subiectes and they that inforce more vpon them in this point of the Magistrates authoritie then that othe vvith the Queenes exposition therof comprehendeth are vpon hir Maiesties roy all woorde and enact of lawe Malicious persons Furthermore the Bb. saye That the generall opinion of the best writers is against the gouernement by Elders vvhere as they can name onely foure whereof Caluin and Beza are two who
let him doe alwaies his best diligence If hee be so necessarie for the Court that in ciuâ—ll causes hee can not bee spared let him vse that vocation and spare the other It is not possible hee should doe both well It is a great ouersight in Princes thus to charge them with two burthens If this excellent and right famous man were now aliue and should say thus much hee might peraduenture if some had their will be martyred once againe Hee addeth further That the primitiue Church had no such Bb. as we They had such Bishops as did preach many godly Sermons in lesse time then our Bb. horses bee a bridling Their house was the schoole and treasure house of Gods Ministers If it bee so nowe let euery man iudge The Magistrates that suffer the abuâ—â— of these goods bee culâ—able of the fault If the fourth part of the Bishoprâ—ck remained to the Bishop it were sufficient The third part to schoolemaisters The second to the poore and souldiers were better bestowed If any be offended with me for this my saying hee loueth not his owne health nor Gods lawes nor mâ—ns Out of which I am alwaies readie to prooue the thing I haue saide to be true Further I speake of loue not hatred This was writen by this noble Maâ—tyr against the protestant Bb. vnder king Edward the sixt In these words he doeth not obscurely reproue the King and all Princes that mainteine the state of Bb. yet neither the Bb. nor Iudges in King Edwards time did adiudge this holy man to be a diffamer of princes His bookes touching this maâ—â—er haue bene publikely printed and solde and euen nowe are to be solde vnder hir maiestie Father Latimer another man of God and holy martyr was a Bishop in King Henry the eight his time but he gaue ouer his Bishoprike as also Shaxton Bishop of Salisburie did at the same time being diuested of his Bishoplike habite he skipped for â—oy as maister Foxe reporteth feeling his shoulders so light and being discharged as he said of so heauie a burthen Thus he speaketh of the Bishops in King Edwarde the sixts dayes in his sermon of the ploughe Ye that be Prelats looke well to your office for right Prelacâ—e is busie labouring and not Lording Thus much I say that since Lording and Loitering hath come vppe preaching hath come downe contrarie to the Apostles times They preached and Lorded not And nowe they Lorde and preache not They that bee Lordes will ill to ploughe It is no meete office for them If the ploughmen that nowe be vvere made Lordes they would cleane giue ouer ploughing and fall to Lording out right and let the ploughe stande By the loytering and lording of Prelates preaching and ploughing is cleane gone They are occupied some in the Kinges matters some are Embassadours some of the priuie Councell some to furnishe the Court some are Lordes of the Parliament some are Presidentes and Controllers of Minâ—es Well Well is this their duetie is this their office If the Apostles might not leaue preaching to be Deacons shall one leaue it for minting Heare my country Englande as Paul saâ—â—d in his first Epistle to the Corinths 6. chap. Is there vtterly among you no wise man to be arbitratours in matters of iudgement What none that can chuse between brother and brother c. Ad erubescentiam vestram dicâ— I speake to your shame So Englande I speake to thy shame Is there neuer a Noble man to bee a Lord Preâ—iaent but it must bee a Prelate Is there neuer a wise man in the Realme to bee a controller of the Mâ—nâ—e I speake it to your shame I speake it to your shame If there bee neâ—er a wise man make a Waterbearer a Tiâ—ker a Cobler a Slaue a Pagâ— controller of the Minte Make a meane Gentleman a Grome a Yeoman make a poore begger Lorde President This I speake not that I would haue it so but to your shame if there bee neuer a gentleman meete nor able to bee Lorde President It is a slaâ—â—der to the Noble men as though they lacked wisedome and learning to bee able for such office or else vvere men of no conscience or else vvere not meete for such offices A Prelate hath a charge and a cure otherwise and therefore hee cannot bee both a Lorde President and discharge his duetie too For a Presidentship requireth a vvhole man and a Bishop can not be two man Let the Priest preache and let the Noblâ— man handle temporall matters Then he proceedeth and telleth who is the most diligent Bb. in all England euen the Diuell who is alwaies in his Cure and Dioces keeping alwaies Residence He is no vnpreaching prelate Hee is no lordly loyâ—erer from his cure but a busie ploughman Therefore yee vnpreaching prelates learne of the Diuell to bee diligent in dooing of your office Learne of the Diuell if you will not learne of God nor good men For shame learne of the Diuell Ad erubescentiam vestram dico I speake it to your shame And in a Sermon before the King Though I say that I vvould wishe moe L. Presidents I meane not that I vvould haue Prelates Lorde Presidentes The office of a President ship is a ciuill office and it cannot bee that one man should discharge both offices well Thus Puritan-like wrote Father Latimer the famous martyr yet he vvas neuer esteemed a troubler of the state a Marprince and a diffamer of the King though in deede he was a mar-Mar-bishop and Mar-prelate His Sermons containing this matter are publikelie to bee solde with authoritie testified in these wordes seene and allowed according to the order of the Queenes inâ—â—nctions And Matâ—hewa Sutcliffe saieth That bookes which passe with this approbatioÌ„ doe conteine nothing contrary to the State of this Realme Therefore it were straunge that the Seekers of Reformation should suffer as felons for writing against the ciuill offices of Bishops against their authority in the Parliamâ—nt in the councell and such like ciuill places seeing writings to that effect be seene solde and allowed as not preiudicall to our estate neither diffamatorie to her maiesty Maister Nowell in his Catechisme fully grounded on Gods worde and receyued and allowed by the church of England as the Bishops say and commaunded to be learned of ministers taught of all schoolemaisters doeth write thus of the Eldership If the Church were well ordered there should be in it a gouernement by chosen Elders or ecclesiasticall Magistrates such as was in the primitiue Church Shall men suffer as felons for such things as are fully grounden on Gods worde and receyued allowed and coÌ„maunded to be taught in the church and schooles of Englande The Lord forbid Doctor Rainolds the iewell of Englande publike professor of Diuinitie in Oxforde at the appointement and charges of the right vertuous and noble Earle of Essex did alleadge in open
the Bishops Chappell else the book would not say Take authoritie to preach in this Congregation For it can not be imâ—gined that all the Priestes which a Bishop maketh haue authoritie to preach or exercise their office in the Bish. Chappell when they list Yet notwithstanding the authority of this booke the Bb. admit ministers who be no Preachers whereas this book and their owne authoritie by Lawe Artic Cler. cap. 13. might aunswere any Quare impedit if they would refuse a Clearke for non abilitie of preaching Also notwithstanding this booke to get mony for if that bee not their purpose let them doe it gratis but then they would not stick at it they compell men beeing ordered after this book to take new licences to preach not beeing contented when they shewe them their letters of orders which the Bishops at their pleasure vpon a supposed misdemeanor doe vse to take from them Furthermore sundrie of the Prelates doe preache and take their texts out of the Apocripha wherein they goe beyonde their commission vnlesse the Apocripha be a parte of the scripture as one of the Bishops doeth intitle it Lastly notwithstanding the intent of this booke they ordeine Ministers at large in nubibus without a cure they neuer ordeyne them in the Congregration to which they are presented that the people of the Church who are likelie to be most inquisitiue into his conuersation that â—halbe their Pastor might except against them for the Bb. willeth the people present to speake if they knew any impediment or crime in the person presented that may hinder him from the ministery Which by all likelihoode can not be meant of a people of a stâ—aunge parish nor of the Bishops family vnlesse the Bish. famely be like the knights of the post in Westminster who know al men their conditions lands and estates though they neuer saw or heard of them before 35 All the Bishops that be present at the consecration of Bishops should we are Coapes and Surplesses hauing their Pastorâ—ll Staues in their handes they reteâ—ne the Surplesse seldome the Coapes but they neuer vse their Pastorall Staues Out of the Queenes Iniunctions 36 By the Queenes Iniunctions which should be executed in all her Highnes Realmes and Dominions all ecclesiasâ—icall persons hauâ—â—g cure of soules ought to preach in their church and 〈◊〉 other cure they haue one sâ—imon euery moneth And in their owne person they should preach once euery quarter or else read an Homely so that in euery parishâ—â— England Ireland Wales there should haue bin twelue sermos preached euery yeare either by the Minister or his deputy as it is expounded and the minister in proper person should haue preached foure sermons or read foure Homilies euery yeare since her Maiesty began hir raigne yet there bee many hundred churches within theese Dominions especially in Wales Irelande the Northen Western partes that haue scarcely had twelue sermons in twelue yeares and there be many persons that cry formality that come not twise in a yeare at their charge to benefite the people by any duty 38 Erasmus Paraphrases should bee had in all Churches yet the Bishops wilbe more carefull to enquire if euery parish haue a suâ—plesse rather then to enjoyne any booke learning 38 Ecclesiastical persons should not play at dice cardes tables or any other vnlawful game but vse some other honest exercise as shooting but the Bb. chaplens and followers that pretend most obedience to the Queenes lawes doe more offende in these matters then any other Ministers 39 All Nonresidents which may dispende aboue twentie pound yearly ought to distribute the 40. part of their liuing to the poore of the parish but this is lightly regarded of the most as I suppose 40 Whosoeuer Parson Vicar c. may dispend in ecclesiasticall promotions aboue 100. pounde yearely should giue for euery 100. pound three pounds six sâ—illings and viij pence yearely to so many poore schollers in the Vniuersitie or Grammer schooles as he hath hundred poundes that hauing profited in learning they might bee made partners of their Patrons cure and otherwise be imployed for the good of the common wealth The Bishops doe not inioyne their Chapleins their Deanes and Doctours to subscribe to this article though if this one article had beene obserued by our formall Prelates who be accompted the onely obedient subiectes as it should haue bene and yet bee if our Bishops and regarde the Queenes orders there would haue growed and hereafter growe more profite hereby to the Church state vnder hir Maiesty then hath ensued by all episcopall subscription for these huÌ„dred yeares Marke Bish. it is your fault that learning decayeth and that there wanteth a continuall supply of learned Ministers If this Article had bene performed there might haue bene relieued yearely euer since her Maiest came to the Crown aboue 1000. poore schollers who for want of maintenance haue applyed her time trauell to other matters Blush at your negligence herein 41 The Queenes Iniunctions ought to be read in the Churches openlie once euery quarter But this were no wisedome for then the people would expect many things at the Bishops and their Pâ—â—estes handes that are not conuenient to be knowen of the common sort 42 The holidaies should be spent in hearing Gods word in priuate and publike prayers in reconciliation of enemies receyuing the Sacramentes and visiting the poore vsing all sobernes and godly conuersation yet the Bb. themselues and their Priests who should be ensamples to the flocke bestow these daies prophanely at bowles hearing Commedies and Tragedies c. Which be farre from the dueties both here in the scriptures commaunded 43 All superstitious pictures paintings in walles and glasse windowes should be abolished out of Churches and houses yet many Church-windowes bee full of such pictures and as I heare the Bb. be not without such paintings in their Chambers 44 The Wiues of Ministers and Deacons should be allowed by the ordinarie and two Iustices of peace Many foreward Chapleins regard not this 45 All Cleargie people should weare their habits sqare cappes c. and noâ— hattes in iourneying yet there bee a number of the Bishops Priestes that breake this order as well as the Ministers that seeke reformation 46 The Iniunctions allow a man to be absent from common prayer at his owne parish Church and to resort to another in the same Towne to heare a sermon yet the Bishops and their Oâ—â—iciâ—lles punishemen in such cases vnlesse they will giue them a Marke or such like see for a licence of absence 47 Where Musicke is vsed in churches it should bee in such a distinct modest song that the same might be plainlie vnderstood as if it were read without singing But the curiosity of Cathedrall churches doth disdaine this simplicity 48 None
A petition directed to her most excellent Maiestie wherein is deliuered 1 A meane howe to compound the ciuill dissention in the church of England 2 A proofe that they who write for Reformation do not offend against the stat of 23. Eliz. c. 2. and therefore till matters be compounded deserue more fauour Open thy mouth for the dumbe in the causes of the children appointed to death PROV 31. 8. I beleeued and therefore haue I answered For SIONS sake I will not ceasse and for IERVSALEMS sake I will not holde my tong ESA. 62. 1. Herevnto is annexed Some opinions of such as sue for Reformation By vvhich is made appeare hovve vniustlie they are slaundered by the Bishops c. pag 53. Together vvith the Authours Epistle to the Reader pag. 58. Also Certeyne Articles wherein is discouered the negligence of the Bishoppes their Officialls Fauourers and Follovvers in performance of sundrie Ecclesiasticall Statutes Lawes and Ordinances Royall and Episcopall published for the gouernement of the Church of England pag. 60. Lastlie Certeyne Questions or Interrogatories dravven by a fauourer of Reformation vvhich he desireth to be resolued by the Prelates pag. 74. To the Queenes most excellent Maiestie Elizab. by the grace of God Queene of Englande France and Ireland supreme gouernesse in all causes and ouer all persons within her Maiesties Realmes and Dominions CRauing vppon my knees pardon for my boldnes I beseech your most excelleÌ„t maiesty to heare me a little All your Highnes subiects that loue the religion honour your maiesty and desire the good of the Realme doe hartily bewaile the bitter contentioÌ„ about the questions of reforming the Church Many seeke to increase this contention Some labour to appease it but this will neuer bee till the trueth in these matters be assured in the hearts of both parties I doe not nowe write eyther to pull downe Bishoprickes or erect presbiteries With whom the trueth is I will not determine For I knowe not What seemeth most probable and true to me that I knowe Howe trueth should come to light that is the question Writing of bookes in such manner as is nowe vsed is endlesse wearinesse to the fleshe matter of further contention by reason of impertinent and personall discourses The troubles of Churches and enmitie of Princes wil not admit a generall Councell A free Nationall or Prouinciall Councell at home were much to be wished so that the Bb. and their followers did not ouerrule the rest For it is against religion law and reason that the same men should be both iudges and parties Or if this be not thought so conuenient There is a way deuised and much commended by learned men as a notable meane to compounde controuersies namely priuate conferences by aduised writing not extemporall speaking the question agreed of The arguments thâ— answeres replies and reioinders set downe till both parties had fully said all by-matters laid aside In fine the whole to be published that your maiesty the honourable Councellours and Parliament may iudge thereof that those thinges which on eyther part are founde faultie may be redressed That all thinges be not so cleare with the Bb. but that further conference triall and reformation is requisite appeareth 1 By the lawes established which expect a better and further reformation in Church-causes 2 By the writings of our Diuines in the common cause against the papistes 3 By the confession of the Bb. them selues and such aâ— write in their defence 4 By their suspicious and doubtfull handling of the matters in question 5 By the testimony of learned men and christian Churches who seeme to speake against the gouernment by Bb. and for the gouernement by assisting Elders 1 The lawes expect a further reformation of the Church Your Maiesties most noble Father vnderstanding that the lawes Ecclesiasticall of this lande were corrupt prouided by Parliament that 32. persons should peruse and correct them gathering into one booke those that were good which by his Royall assent should haue the strength of lawe all other Ecclesiasticall lawes to be abandoned out of this Church for euer Maister D. Cranmer and other reuerend men were delegated to this purpose They collected into one booke many good thinges as they thought touching Aduouson of benefices Excommunication for small matters Residence of Vniuersitie men vpon their benefices Mariages without consent of parentes Nursing of children by their owne mother Diuorces for infirmitie of body Pluralities Broken Musicke in Cathedrall Churches Deacons The solemnitie of ExcoÌ„munication and absoâ—ution with the assent of the people and many other things which are directly contrary to the practise and orders of the moderne Bishops But this booke wanteth the Kinges confirmation and the lawes Ecclesiasticall remaine in the same corruption as your Maiesties Father left them notwithstanding the labours of those Reuerend personages and the act of Parliament which was reuiued and confirmed in the beginning of your Highnes most happy reigne 2 Also in the booke of common prayer which was sette forth by your Maiesties brother accepted by your highnes there is prescribed a Commination to bee vsed at a certaine time in the yeare not to continue euer but till an order of Discipline practised in she primitiue Church bee restored which were greatly to bee wished as the authours of that booke doe saie Yet this Commination staÌ„deth and the Discipline there mentioned is yet wanting 3 The booke of ordering Ministers confirmed by lawe presumeth that euery Minister should be a Preacher For at the Ordination the Bishop sayeth Take thou authority to preach the word of God Yet where the Bb. ordeine one Minister that can preach they make twenty that can not 4 â—astly it is enacted That all ornaments of the Church and Ministers thereof such as are Surples Coapes c. shall be retained and be in vse as was appointed by King Edward the 6. not for vnchangeable continuaunce but vntill other order were taken by your Maiestie and your Highnes Ecclesiasticall Commissioners 2 The Defenders of our common cause expect a further Reformation Those thinges in effect be acknowledged by some of our chiefe defendours of religion against the papistes For vvhen they obiect That we are glad to borrowe their ceremonies to haue an apish imitation of their Masâ—e booke answere is returned That diuers abuses in Ceremonies and Discipline were tollerated among vs our Church therein yeelding to the infirmitie of the weaker sorte which were to be altered when people grewe to ryper knowledge 3 The Defenders of the state of Bb. expect further Reformation 1 Al the Bishops in their Canons do confesse that Non-residencie is a filthie thing odâ—ous to men pernicious to the church yet what is more common 2 By the lawes of England in the ordination of Bb. the Archbishop should lay the Bible vpon the Bishops neck
Daneus Vrsinâ—â—s Bullinger Stephen Caluetus Collodanius Tremulius Pinaldus Tauergius Perottus Chaussaeus Bertrandus Carpenterius De Pluâ—re Perilius Henricus Sâ—rranus Calâ—â—s Poâ—â—â—us Gâ—lartius Iacomotus Dupleus Szegedinus Hâ—shâ—sius De Loques Bastinguius Pollanus Snecanus Fulke Rainolds and others most rare politikes of this time especially Euseb. Cosmopolitan and Bodin Bodin hauing discoursed vppon the rising falling conuersion and translation of the principall Empires Kingdomes states and common wealthes in the worlde at length descendeth to the stâ—te of Geneua giueth a very honourable testimony of the great profit aâ—â—sing by the Discipline and Eldershippe to that common wealth â—is wordes be these But this is to be commended in Geneua If there bee any thing in the worlde worthy commendation vvhâ—ch also maketh the common wealth to flour she though not in riches and largenesse of dominion yes surely in vertue and Godlinesse I meane the Discipline of the Ministers or Elders vvhich is as excellent and heauenlie a vvaie as can bee deuised to represse the faultes of men and such enormities as can not bee redressed by anie humane Lawes and iudgementes Yâ—t this censure is according to the rule by Christ prescribed Namely at the first secretlie and friendlie afterwarde somewhat more roundelie and sharpely Then if the partie doe not relent hee is interdicted solemnely and seriously from the participation of the heauenlie misteries If this doth no good then the Magistrate punisheth Whereupon it falleth out that such thinges as are not punishable any where by Lawe are without anie stirre or tumult reformed there by those Censors or Elders who bee greatlie reuerenced among the people by reason of their vertue Therefore it is that no whoores no drunkardes no diâ—ncing no begging no idle persons are to bee founde in that cittie The more popishe and corrupt that this Bodin is the more auaileable and lesse partiall is his testimony in this matter I would to God we might see the like effect in any City or Towne in England wrought by the gouernement of â— Bb. 4 This gouernement by Elders is commended to bee vsed in all Churches for euer by the Churches in France the Lowe Countries in Heluetâ—a in their latter confession whereâ—unto subscribed the Churches of Tigure Beâ—ne Scaphusia Saint Galls Rhetia Myllaine Bienna Geneua Sauoy Polonia Hungary and Scotlande Wherein be thousandes and ten thousandes of the most excellent Diuines vpon earth 5 Lastly this gouernement by Elders â—oyned to the ministers hath beene vsed as I haue heard reported vnder the Emperour in Bohemia the Turke and Bassaes in Hungarie the Papistes in France the Protestant magistrates in Scotland Saxonie Countie Palatine of Rhene Heluetia Sauoy France The lowe Countries Scotlande and many places in Germanie Though some Churches and learned men doe not like of excommunication in which matter they condemne our state yet I protest in the presence of â—â—mighty God that in all the course of my studie touching these controuersies I haue not to my remembraunce founde reade or hearde of any protestant Church or learned man in the worlde who misliketh that certaine Elders or graue personages should iointly gouerne the Church with the ministers but onely wee of England Wherein we at vnwares doe impeach the Parliament and hir maiesty of indiscretion which haue thought most meete to giue the chiefe managing of the Church not into the handes of one Bishoppe but of many ecclesiastical Commissioners vvhereof some bee ministers and some lay men therein resembling an ecclesiasticall Eldership The Bishops wishe that the ecclesiasticall Commission were more common And I thinke if it were settled in 500. places more then it is and should gouerne by the worde of God and lawes of this Realme that there would arise more profit thereby to Religion then yet hath beene founde by the Bb. To drawe towardes a conclusion of this matter It may be that they who haue attained to as sounde knowledge in all pointes of doctrine as any since the Apostles time should mistake in Discipline It may be that they whom the spirite of wisedome hath guided in expounding the scriptures shoulde be alwaies forsaken of that spirite vvhen they came to expounde or speake oâ— a text concerning discipline It may bee that all these lightes of the world which aâ—owe there was a gouernement by Elders in the primitiue and best Church did and doe grope in dâ—rkenesse and that the authours of the Remonstrance and Matthewe Sutcliffes treatises haue founde out the trueth but vntill they haue approued themselues as profitable to the Church as the fourmer vvriters haue done men not partiall will still make scruples in these matters Againe it maie be that the exercise of this gouernement is a matter of confusion discord dishonour to the magistrate puritanisme rebellion a mâ—â—prince a â—arlawe a marstâ—te and mar-all but it is vnlikely that it should be admitted vnder so many Princes Christiâ—nâ— and infidels papists and proâ—estants and commended by such pearelesse Diuines if it deserued any such taxation It is froÌ„ my puâ—pose in this place to dispute which gouernement is better or worse or whether these authorities and testimonies which I call God to witnes I take to be according to the allegation be agreeable to the trueth or otherwise onely I trust I haue sufficiently prooued mine intention namely that Seeing the lawes established expect a further and better reformation Seeing the writiâ—gâ—s of our Diuines in the common cause against the Papistes Seeing the confession of the Bishâ—ps their fauourers Seeing their doubtfull suspicious handling of these contâ—ouersies and Seeing the testimonies of Councells Fathers late writers and Churches imply so much I conclude that things go not so cleare for the Bb. but that further reformation conference or triall is expedient Till which Reformation tryall and conference be aâ—chieued all that bee not blinde in effection doe wiâ—â—e that these followers of Reformation may receiue more curteous vsage then yet appeareth For most gracious Souerâ—â—â—e they bee your maiesties subiectes aswell as the Bb. They be proâ—esâ—ors of your owne religion aswell as the Bb. They be â—mbasâ—adors of Christ Iesus aswell if not more in regarde of their painfulnesse then the Bishops If you will not heare them whom can they fly vnto If you will not pity their manifolde miseries and molestations then they are destitute of humane comforte They deserue fauour They haue brought many to the knowledge of God who otherwise shoulde haue remained captiues vnder Sathan and traytours to your Highnes They are vnreproueable before all men saâ—e in this question of Reformation Wherein if they offende as it maie bee they doe for the best men bee lyable to errour surelie it is to bee thought they fall of ignorance 1 The writings of the Bb. them selues 2 The disputations of our Diuines against the papistes published
Parliament at that time to this purpose but rather for the ouerthrowe of the Hierarchie As many yet aliue can witnes who would with great vehemencie haue spoken against that matter for their owne and their friendes safety When Maister Stubs of Lincolns Inne had written against the mariage intended by Monsieur the Daulphine of France towardes hir Maiestie to the ende that men should bee terrified from writing dishonorably of hir Highnes this statute made that offence felonie which by former statutes was onely the losse of the right hande Which proueth that the â—aw-makers prouided for hir Maiestie not for the Hierarchie The Parliament hath bene more ready for Reformation then against it as appeared most euidently the last Parliament when the bill against Nonresidencie passed the lower house and had like to haue also passed the higher house by the right honorable the Lord Treasurer his meanes and other right noble Lordes who spake for it had not the Bishops laboured against it 15 Some of the lawes be faultie euen in Church matters as our Prell not popish will acknowledge reporte and write if neede be There was a lawe made by King Henrie the 8. and confirmed by hir Maiestie That such Canons Constitutions c. which bee not contrariant to the lawes statutes customes of this Realme nor preiudiciall to the Kinges prerogatiue shalbee executed as before the making of that act Amonge which Canons c. there be many vnlawful foolish thinges though neither against the lawes customes or kings prerogatiue yet repugnant to the Lawe of God As namely That women maie not sue their husbandes for adulterie that Heretikes after their death shoulde be excommunicate that there is such affinitee betweene the Godfather and the childe for whom he promiseth in baptisme that it hindereth mariage that a man maie not fast vpon Thursday That all Clearkes shoulde absteine from flesh 7. whole weekes before Easter Infinite corruptions bee in these Canons yet in force and good in lawe I suppose that our Bb. coulde be content that this statute of 25. were corrected Sure I am the Bishops in King Edwarde the 6. dayes did see manie things out of order in the Canon lawes or else they woulde not haue a whole booke for Reformation of them which booke can haue no intertainement in our time But seeing the Bb. will not deny but that some abuses be established for lawe lette them beare with others that espie greater faultes then those bee 16. Lastly many haue writen both against the state of the Church and common wealth as it was is fenced by law who were neuer accounted diffamers of our Princes Some write against Triall by battell Some against Forfaiture of Traytours landes The returne of writtes in one terme the lingring of men in prison before they come to tryall the priuiledges of Parliament men the pardoning of murtherers pluralitie of farmes c. Some against Racking Some against feined recoueries to defeat them in remainder or reuersion vpon estates taill Some against buying and selling of Wardes and such like Against the gouernement of the Church in England manie subiectes haue written neuer deemed diffamers of the King as In Edwarde the thirdes reigne did Wicleve arise one of whose articles was this That Popes Cardinalls Bishops or other Priests maie not ciuiliter dominari absque mortali peccato may not rule like ciuill Lordes without deadlie sinne Also hee taught That no Prelate ought to haue any prison to punish offendors And that no King should impose vppon any Bishop or Curate any secular matter for then both the King and the Clearke should be proditor Iesu Christi a betrayer of Christ Iesâ—s although the Archbishop of Cant. and the Bishop of London did put Wicleue to silence for this doctrine as their successours do at this day yet they did not call him a diffamer of the king William Swinderby a professour of the Gospell vnder Rich. the seconde helde That the more Lordship a Priest hath the neerer he is to Antichrist Also that The Priestes of the old lawe were for bidden Lordship and that Christ himselfe refused and forbad his Priests Lordships saying Reges Gentium c The Kings of the Heathen beare rule c. but you shall not doe so Piers Plowman likewise wrote against the state of Bishops and prophecied their fall in these wordes If Knighthood and Kinâ—wite and Comone by consciencâ— Together loue Lelly leueth it well ye Bishops The Lordship of Landes for euer shall ye lese And liue as Leuitici as our Lord ye teacheth Deut. 8. Numb 5. per primitias decimas c. Geffry Chaucer also in Henry the fourthes time wrote effectually against the state of the Bb. in this maner The Emperour yafe the Pope sometime So hiâ— Lordship him about That at the last the silly Kime The proude Pope put him out So of this Realme is doubt But Lords beware and them defende But nowe these folke beene wondrous stoute The King and Lords nowe this amend Moses lawe forbade it tho That Priestes should no Lordships weld Christes Gospell biddeth also That they should no Lordships held Ne Christes Apostles were neuer so bold No such Lordships to hâ—m imbrace But smeren her sheepe and keepe her folde God amende hem for his grace Thus wrote this famous Poet against the English Bishops and yet was neuer accounted diffamer of the King though the Bb. in his time did holde their Lordships of the King as they doe now in Englande Sir Geffrey Chaucer his workes were in K. Henry the eight his daies authorized to be Printed by act of Parliament to which that glorious king would neuer haue condescended if hee had thought that the diffamation of the Bishops had beene a diffamation of him selfe In King Henry the eights time the renowmed professor of the Gospell Maister Tindall did write That it was a shame of all shames and a monstrous thing that Bishops should deale in ciuill causes And againe What names haue they My Lorde Bb. My Lord Archbishop If it please your Lordship if it please your Grace D. Barnes a right learned man at the same time did write That he would neuer beleeue nor could euer beleeue That one man may by the lawe of God be Bishop of two or three citties or of a whole Country for that is contrarie to the doctrine of S. Paul c. Maister Hooper in the daies of Edward the sixt did effectually write against the English Bish. For the space saieth he of 400. yeares after Christ the Bish. applyed all their witte onelie to their owne vocation but our Bish. haue so much witte that they can rule and serue they say in both states in the Church and also in the ciuile policie when one of them is more then anie man is able to satisfie
sermon at Oxforde this testimony of Maister Nowell to proue that men by authoritie might speake in defence of gouernement by Elders To be short I haue shewed that my L. of Canterburie and the other Bb. That D. Coâ—â—ns and the aduertiser doe in writing reproue many things couÌ„tenanced by law as excommunication by lay Chauncellours Nonresidence Ignoraunt ministers the milde punishment of Adultery Subscription and such like and yet these men be not deemed indited conuict or attaint as diffamers of her maiesty and felons by this statute Such be our times that Iisdem de causis alij plectantur alij ne appellentur quidem Thus much may serue touching the accusation of diffaming of our Soueraine Ladie the Queenes most excelleÌ„t maiesty Now it remaineth to consider how iustly the writers for Reformation be charged with rebellion VVHereas the aduersaries to Reformation do take as a principle that whosoeuer writeth to worke a discâ—â—tentment in the mindes of the subiectes doe intende a rebellion That is a most vntrewe assertion and sophistical paralogisme For although Rebellion doth grow of Discontentement yet all discontentement doth not bring forth rebellion or if the writinge against the state of Bishops shoulde moue some men to discontentment who being discontented should stirre vp rebellioÌ„ yet it doeth not followe that the writers against the Bb. were rebels as this stat doeth intende For the writers must write Aduisedlie and of purpose to stirre rebellion So that if a man write in humble loyall and duetiful manner hauing no purpose and intent to worke rebellion though rebellion should here of insue yet could not such a writer without great iniustice be drawn within this statute For he can not be a felon that hath not a felonious intent and purpose Christ by his preaching had wrought such a dislike of the Priests and their proceedinges in the mindes of his Disciples that one of theÌ„ in defence of his Maister did strike of the eare of Marchus a seruant of purseuant of the high priestes yet the Priestes did not charge Christ with this outrage of his Disciple For albeit Christ did speake against the Rulers Priests in his time drawing after him many dislikers of that present state yet Christ neuer meant to woorke in mens mindes a discontentement which should bring forth mutinies or rebellion but amendement and reformation In like manner these Seek of Reformation haue descried manie supposed abuses in the church gouuernement they beare vs in hande that there is another forme of Ruling the church more agreeable to the Scriptures then this which we haue receyued They write to lay open the faultes of the one the necessitie and profit of the other that the one beeing remoued by lawful authoâ—itie the other by like authoritie might be entertained For considering that hir Maiestie and Lordes without the Commons can not by the order of our state reforme the abuses imperfections of the laws it is requisite that the Commons of this land should be acquainted with the wants both of the Church and common wealth For euery man and woman of this Realme is partie and priuie to all Actes of Parliament Their assent is needefull to the making of euery lawe In their name and as the deputies the Knightes Burgesses are present and haue voices in the Parliament Nowe howe shoulde the commons their Knightes and Burgesses conceyue what is amisâ—e in the Lawes and state but by publike writings for that purpose That hauing deepelie weighed and pondered what and how thinges should be reformed they might be able in time of Parliament after the lawfull and laudable custome of this Realme to take order for them according to knowledge A few daies or weekes are are not sufficient throughly to examine what may bee said what should be done in these matters Wherefore if these Seekers of Reformation should by publike writinge in duetifull and Christian sorte communicate to hir Maiestie the Lordes and commons of this Realme the enormities of the state to the ende that they in their Parliamentes should reforme the same though some of the Commons should take occasion herevpon desperately and vndutifullie to rebell yet the Seekers of Reformation coulde not iustly be condemned as aduised and malitious mouers of rebellion Much lesse can their writinges which haue as yet neuer effected nor affected rebellion be deemed rebellions Their writing for Reformation doeth rather prooue that they bee not rebells For if they purposed a rebellion they would rather tumultuouslie rise vp and reforme thinges them selues then write bookes to moue the Queenes Maiestie the â—ords and Commons in their Parliaments to lay their handes to reformation They that be not blinded with malice do see wel that the Ministers who seeke Reformation doe preache true obedience to the Magistrates with greater zeale and sincerity then any Bishop in this lande It is not oriously knowen that they teach as an article of their faith That no subiect or seruaunt ought to rebell against his Prince or Maisters though hee bee cruell and frowarde but rather shoulde meekely suffer oppression and violence at their handes They teach that the lawes must either be performed by obeying them or else the punishment for not yeelding vnto theÌ„ patiently suffered and vndertaken Therefore howsoeuer they write to bring a discontentment into mens mindes yet they would not haue the subiect to intrude vpon the Magistrates office much lesse to rebell against his Soueraine Furthermore if all they that write to bring the people to adiscontentement and dislike of the authorized gouuernement doe write of purpose to moue rebellion then doe the lawes the Bishops and whole state of Englande intende a rebellion I proued that both the lawes Bishops of this lande doe expect a further reformation which can not be accomplished vnlesse hir Maiestie the Ll. and commons be drawen to a discontentement and disâ—ike of the present state For amendement and redresse can neuer follow but where discontentement goeth before â—ikewise it is prooued that the Church of Englande hath seene allowed and suffered to be printed and publikely solde diuerse bookes which doe speake most effectualliâ— against the state of â—orde Bishops I shewed that bookes wherin the Lordship of Bb. hath bene coÌ„demned haue bene allowed by expresse act of Parliament I shewed also that the gouernement by Elders is approued in books which are commended by the Bb. to be fully grounded vpon Gods worde which are commanded to be taught learned throughout this Realme If it be rebellion to worke a dislike discontentement in the state of Lord Bb. If it bee rebellion to commende the reformed gouernement by Elders then doth the state of England intende a rebellion against hir Maiestie But God forbid that we should thinke so dishonorably or disâ—oyally of our Christian State though it hath wrought in mens mindes a dislike of the present Church-gouernement If then this argument be vaine
other Christian and noble Potentates who haue maineteyned fauoured preferred the Ministers that stande for ReformatioÌ„ And whether here in England the Right honorable Sir Nicholas Bacon L. Keeper the Earles of Bedforde Warwicke and Leicester Sir Frauncis Walsingham Sir Water Mildmay Sir Amias Paulet other right noble Lords Councellours Countees and Countesses would haue couÌ„tenanced and protected the Ministers that seeke Reformation if they had perceiued them to be enemies to the Queene aâ—d state worse then papistes and miscreantes And whether our Prelates be more trustie to hir Maiesty and prouident to auoide daunger then those excellent personages were 40 Quaere whether a Minister ought not to admonish the mightiest Prince of his duty refuse to administer the Sacrament vnto him if he be a notorious offendour and pronouÌ„ce him to be no member of Christ in the Communion of Saints if he continue obstinate in open crimes And whether vnder the Lawe Dauid and other Princes were not subiect to ceremoniall expiations and the spirituall power of Priestes and Prophets And whether Ambrose did well in vsing like authority towardes an Emperour And lastly whether Zanchius Caluin Bucer Nowell Iewell Bilson and Bridges approuing the like be traytours popes and tyrants 41 Quaere why there may not be vnder a Christian Magistrate Pastours Teachers Elders Deacons and widowes aswell as Parsons Lectures or Schoolemaisters Church Wardens Chauncellours Collectours for the poore and Hospitall Women seeing these doe and may execute in authority and power the whol forme of Church-gouernement desired though their practise thereof is infinitely corrupted against the Canons of the Apostles to the daunger of the Church and dishonour of the Realme 42 Quaere whether the Ecclesiastical High Commission be not in effect an Eldership wherein some gouerne with ministers who by profession are temporall Lawiers Ciuillians meere lay men And whether their gouernement consisting of spirituall and temporall persons be a Medley a Linsie woolsie Discipline as the RemonstraÌ„ce calleth the Eldership which is now desired 43 Quaere If the sole gouernement of a Bishop in a Dioces bee sufficient and most agreeable to Gods worde why is there an Ecclesiasticall Commission standing of many persons ciuill and Ecclesiasticall or if an Ecclesiasticall Commission be needefull in a Realme who in a prouince if in a Prouince why not in a Dioces if in a Dioces why not in a Deanrie if in a Deaâ—rie why not in a Parishe Lasty why might there not without absurditie and breach of true vniformitie be planted in some places already capable a Consistory or commission of Elders though the like cannot presently be accompliâ—hed in all seeing there be newe ecclesiasticall Commissions erected Deanes and Chapters Broken musicke and Organes in some places not in other Hearken you Sages and Iudges of the lawe it is expected at your hands that you see Euen Iustice done to all her Highnes subiectes rich and poore without regard to any person papist Protestant puritane or other If you suffer her maiesties subiected that sue for iustice to be cited punished imprisoned vexed and molested against lawe by any Prelate or ecclesiasticall iudge whatsoeuer doe incurre the breach of your oath are in her maiesties mercy for your bodies landes and goods Pereat mundus fiat Iustitia 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 b 25. H. 8. ca. 19. â— E â— ca 11. 〈…〉 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d pag. 29. e pag. 80. f pag. 57. g pag. 20. h pag. 22. i pag. 27. k pag. 31. l pag. 43. m pag. 47. n pag. 81. o 1. Eli. 2. c. ◠〈…〉 p 5 6. 〈…〉 q 1. Eliz. c. 2. r Bâ—â—ke of ordering Ministers 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 x Caâ—on dis pag â—0 y 〈…〉 The Bb sâ—ould aswell vse pastorall staue◠〈…〉 z 〈…〉 pag. 679. 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b Disputat Mat. 〈◊〉 pag. 83. c Admoni ag 〈…〉 pag. 53 1. eds 〈…〉 d Ibid pa. 99. Ibi pa. 139. f 〈…〉 Puniâ—â—ment of Adulâ—erie g 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k Ibid p. 135. l 〈◊〉 pag. 166. m pag. 9. 〈…〉 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 1. Sam. 21. 〈…〉 〈…〉 D. Bridges 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 D Bridges 〈…〉 q Of the Princ. Supre pag 359. r Defence of gouernment pag. â—48 c. s â—bid pag. 281. 372. 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 h Ibid pa. 4â— i Ibid. pag. 57. 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 m Table of all n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 a Ser pag. 83. b 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 The Bb. be not one of the threâ— states e 〈…〉 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i Dorm Rep. pag. 〈◊〉 k Act. and Mâ—n pag â—21 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 a D With pag. 309. 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 The Seekers of 〈…〉 a Esa. â—6 10. Vnprâ—aching ministers b Esai 56. 10. 〈…〉 Priestes c 〈◊〉 44. 8. 〈…〉 d Esa. 56. 11. 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 〈…〉 f 1 King 15. 14 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 The Seekers of 〈…〉 Color of canâ—â—◠〈…〉 d 〈…〉 〈…〉 e Admoniâ— aga M. M. 183. f D 〈…〉 A Priest and Bish by Gods 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 pag. 281. 〈…〉 pag 18. Admonit agai M. M. pag. 44 h Cont. Haeres lib. 3. 〈…〉 75. i 〈…〉 pag. 668. 748. 〈◊〉 Whiâ—ak Con. Duâ— pag. 447. 〈…〉 Tim. 5. Harding Def. 〈◊〉 pag. 2â—0 Staâ—leton Bridg. of Princ. Supr pag. 359. 〈…〉 k In 1. Tim 3. 2. 1. Tim. 5. 17. 1. Tim 3. 1. What the law 〈…〉 See the statâ—â— l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉
and printed by authoritie 3 The testimonie of the principall Diuines in Europe 4 The vntoward ruling of the Bb. 5 And the apparant vtilitie by gouerning Elders doe lye as offensiue stumbling blockes in their way To the ende that these men may haue more mercifull acceptation and may not be subiect and lie open to the bloudie desires of their aduersaries whereof no doubt some bee hollowe harted papistes and some without God in this worlde who neither regarde Religion Prince Bishop or Countrie but with their own ease and aduantage I haue vnder the fauour of better iudgement taken in hande to pleade not for any landes or tenementes but for the liues of your Maiesties most loyall subiectes and Gods faithfull seruauntes for God may haue great interest in them though they erre in Discipline whom some do drawe within the statute of Newes because they doe write for Reformation The wordes of the statute Be these If anie shall aduisedly and with a malicious intent deuise vvrite c. anie manner of booke writing c. containing false seditious and slaunderous matter to the diffamation of the Queenes Maiestie that nowe is or to the incouraging stirring or mouing of rebellion or insurrection within this Realme hee shall suffer and forfait as a felâ—n From this law it is thus reasoned VVhosoeuer write bookes to the diffamation of her Maiestie and to raise rebellion doe offende against this Statute and are felons They that write for Reformation make bookes to diffame the Queene and raise rebellion Therefore the writers for Reformation offende against this statute and are felons They proue the first parte of the Minor in this mâ—ner They that diffame the Bb. who bee members of hâ—r Maiesties body politike and vphelde by hir lawes doe diffame the Queene They that write for Reformation diffame the Bb. c. Touching the second point in the Minor the followers of the Bishops would proue that the seekers of Reformation doe write to stirre and moue Rebellion First by argument drawnâ— from the generall scope of their writings Secondly by particular supposed mutinous and rebellius sentences scattered in the bookes written in defence of Reformation Their generall argument is to this effect They that write to worke discontentment in the mindes of the subiects against the gouernement receiued doe write to mooue a rebellion For Discontentment is the mother of Rebellion The Seek of Reformation write to worke a discontentment in the mindes of the subiectes against the gouernment receiued Therefore they write to moue a Rebellion The supposed mutinous speaches which they gather out of the bookes which speake for Reformation are these D. Banc. sayeth that Martin threatneth Fists Others obiect a place in Martin Senior where hee mentioneth a hundred thousande handes and saith That these so manie togither would strâ—ke a great stroke D. Cosins citeth one Fran. Iunius pag. 28. who holdeth That people may resist the Princes that hinder the Presbyteries And that in the seconde Admonition pag. 29. it is sayd That many thousandes in Englande desire that platforme and that greate troubles wil come of it if they be withstoode in their deuises c. If I were perswaded that any seeker of ReformatioÌ„ did intende either to diffame hir Maiestie or to raise rebellion I am so farre from approuing his fact or writing in his defence that I adiudge him rather to be punished as a traytor then a felon But because I assure my selfe that they bee guiltlesse of these crimes in tender regarde of innocencie and of hir Maiesties most godly lawes which ought not to bee peruerted I haue at tempted to aunswere the quarelles of their aduersaries in this behalfe Saluo semper meliore iudicio Which clause I will haue to runne and reache from the beginninge to the midsts from the midsts to the endâ— of all this treatise For answere to the first point in the argument I doe make good that Admit the Seek of Reformation doe diffame the Bb. who bee members of her Maiesties bodie politike and vphelde by hir lawes yet they doe not diffame the Queene as this statute intendeth In my vnderstanding there be two generall Bodies politike in this lande The one the Bodie politike of the Realme the other The Bodie politike of hir Maiestie The bodie politike of the Realme is All the people in the common wealth contracted and distinguished into the Three states of the Parliament The first is the Queenes Maiestie The second The Lordes The thirde The Commons The Bb. be not one of the Three states though Matthewe Sutcliffe shoulde affirme it twenty times vnlesse he will turne out either the Queene the Lords or the Commons and assigne their place to the Bishops Although the Bb. since the time of H. 11. Haue beene present in the Kings Courtes with other Barons till the matter came to the losse of limme or life for at such time by the lawes they are to auoyde the place And although they are de facto intituled as Authours of our Statutes yet I holde that this is onelie of grace and fauour and de iure or by necessarie right For our Princes as was conuenient at the assembly of their Parliamentes haue vsed to call the Bb. so long as they vvere taken for godly and learned into their consultations that did concerne the state of the Church but yet they haue not so inthralled themselues to the aduise and assent of Bb. as if no statute might be of force without them as the Bishops doe nowe to boldelie insinuate For many lawes haue bin made and do yet stande in force the Bb. being absent or vtterly refusing to assent vnto them as is expresly proued and shewed out of the statutes and Parliament rolles by Maister Iewell Maister Nâ—well Maister Fox Maister Bilson and Maister Lambert a learned lawier of Lincolns Inne Wherefore seeing the Bb. according to their dignities bee none of the three states of the Parliament or of the Bodie politike of the Realme no otherwise then common subiects be in which respect they are not diffamed it can not be taken that in this sence they bee members of hir Maiesties Body politike and therefore the diffaming of them doeth no more touch the Queene then the diffamation of a common subiect whicâ— fault is otherwise preuented then by the punishment due to felons The generalâ— Bodie politike of hir Maiestie is as I conceiue all the Officers and Magistrates of this lande who deriue all their authoritie either mediatelie or immediatelie from the Queene In which regarde the Bb. be members of hir bodie politike drawing from hir Highnes their ciuill authoritie and lordship For their ecclesiasticall authoritie hath bene heretofore deduced from hir Maiestie but I see that of late they begin to claime it from God as the Queene doeth hir Crowne But howsoeuer the Bishops claime their worldly state or spiritual primacie the
Seek of Reformation doe mainteine that their iurisdiction is contrary to the worde of God Not condemning externall honor which is good and godly in it selfe but misliking that it should be accepted by such persons as are disabled and made vncapable there of by the Scripture Thus much for better vnderstanding of this question To proceed 1 There must diuers things concurre to make bookes felonious by this statute First they must be written Aduiseâ—ly against the Queene that is of purpose wittingly not of simplicitie or ignorance Ignorantia factâ— excusat Ignorance of the fact excuseth the fault And therefore as the Prell dealt miâ—â—iouslie with Richard Carmicheill in Scotland in compelling him to burne his bill because in his dreame hee did crie out The Diuell take away the Priestes for they are a greedy packe so if any man in his sleepe or at vnwares shal cast forth diâ—â—amatory wordes against the Queene he is not within this statute Secondly the booke must be writen of malicious intent and as the preamble of the statute is by one ill affected to hir Maiestie and therefore if a man vse such a speach as Burder the Marchant did when he saide He would make his sonne the heire of the crowne meaning his house at the signe of the Crowne not intending any hurt to the King or Crowne of Englande he could not without great iniustice be drawne within this or the like statute Thirdlie the wordes must conteine false and seditious matter therefore if a man shoulde haue saide that the King William Rufus did wickedly who to geâ—t mony of the Iewes caused some coÌ„uerted to Christianity to returne to Iudaisme the fact beeing trew and words not seditious he could not iustly be punished by this or any like statute The Seekers of Reformation hâ—ue not neither doe write Aduisedlie to diffame the Queene for they name not hir Maiestie to any diâ—honor in any of their bookes If the contrary can be proued Currat lex let the offender be punished as he deserueth They onely seeke to haue as they thinke the corruption of the tâ—â—e redressed as â—he Prophetes the holy men of God haue done heretofore without â—â—tending anie dishonour to good Princes such as her Maiestyâ—s The Seek of Reformation write against ignoraunt and vnlearned ministers so the Prophet Esaâ—e liuing vnder the godly king did call the priestes that wanted knowledge Dumbe dogges such as can not barke The Seekers of Reformation write against such as be careles and negligent in feeding the soules that depende vpon them that take the fleece turne ouer the care of the flocke to other so Esaâ—e reprooueth the priestes of his time That lye and sleepe and delight in sleâ—ping And another Prophet taxeth them that did not Keepe the ordinaunces of holy thinges them selues but set other to take charge of the sanctuarie The Seekers of Reformation doe cry out against plurified persons that can not be content with a competent liuing but insatiablie by dispensations and qualifications doe ioine benefice to benefice and charge to charge rather to enriche them selues then benefite the Church against such men did Esaie complaine calling them Greedie dogges that can neuer haue inough euerie one of them looking to his owne waie and to his owne aduantage The Seekers of Reformation write against the ciuill authority and rule of Ministers So Ieremy in the dayes of Iosiah a vertuous Prince condemned Priestes For bearing rule The Seekers of Reformation write to haue the Church throughly purged of all remnants of popery idolatry So the spirit of God did note as a fault euen vnder most excellent Kings That the hâ—e places remained vnremoued All these and many other witnesses of the trueth did speake and write against the state of the Church in Iudah and were not I trust aduised deâ—famers of the Princes vnder whome these corruptions had gotten strength In like maner the writinges of the Seek of Reformation against such thinges as they verilie beleeue to be enormious corruptions can not iustly bee deemed aduisedly and of purpose diffamaâ—orie to hir Highnesse When persecution was most furious in Englande they that wrote most vehemently against the Bishops their proceedings contenanced by lawe were neuer accounted aduised diffamers of the Prince for then they should haue bene reputed and punished as traytours or rebells râ—ther then as sâ—ismatikes and heretikes Neither hath their bene in all the thirtie yeares of her Maiesties most flourishing raigne till within 2. or 3. yeares last part any such conclusion euer made though the same lawes in substance haue bene in force and occasion giuen of great extremity I am perswaded that vpon hearing the matter debated by learned I awiers on the part of the defendantes as lawe and reason would in this matter of difficulty that toucheth life that our reuerende Iudges would at the first make a quaere whether the aduised diâ—â—amation of the Bb. were an aduised diffamation of the Queene Therefore it may well come vnder the title of Newes that the Seekers of Reformation should resolue in a point of lawe wherein the best lawiers may stand in doubt â—f my father were a â— Bishop or a Noâ—resident and â— would write against the state of the Bb. or Nonresidence to make men conformable to the lawe of God it were adsurde to affirme that I did write of purpose and aduisedly to diffame my Father So in our case mutatis mutandis c. Neither doe the Seekers of Reformat write against the iurisdiction of Bb. of any hatred or Malice to the Queene For whosoeuer were King or Queene of England though it were Dauid him selfe they would vvrite to the same effect that they doe nowe It is not like that they malice her Maiesty for sauing the matters in variâ—nce no man can charge them with any shewe of disloyall behauiour They are instant for hir Maiesty in prayer both publike and priuate They detract no duety no imposition no taxe or subsidie as becommeth duetifull and louing subiests It was neuer heard that any one no not one of them did euer attempt any hurt to hir Royall person Search the Rolls looke the Recordes it will appeare that some oâ— them whom England while England indureth shall still with thankfulnes remember haue hazarded themselues asmuch for her Maiesties safety and Englands good as any subiect what soeuer When the Spaniards intended an inuasion the establishment of a forraine potentate in the Sea Royall and the conuersion of this lande into Aâ—eldama a fielde of bloude the Ministers that seeke Reformation gaue great assurance of their affection and loyalty to the Queenes maiesty and the seate They were importunate with the Lord by priuate and publike prayer fasting for the safety of her Royal person before the Bishops or their followers were seen to goe about any such matter And being interdicted by the Bishops such was their zeale to the